You would think horses with recent metropolitan form would take plenty of beating at a country track like Cootamundra and I'm confident that will be the case today.
A former Team Hawkes-trained four-year-old having his first start for new connections and a Tumut mare who was placed in a strong Highway Handicap at Rosehill last start both look solid bets at Cootamundra on Sunday whilst the speedmap looks to play a significant factor in the Cup.
STORM FORCE (Race 3 No 1)
Fastnet Rock four-year-old Storm Force will be having his first start for Greg and Kelly Gooch in the Landmark Maiden Handicap (1100m) after finishing in the placings in five of his six career starts for Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes including a Canterbury third in his first preparation.
Storm force will be having his fourth run this preparation after finishing third in strong maidens at Beaumont and Gosford before struggling when stepped up to 1350m at Beaumont last start with the jockey reporting the gelding made a respiratory noise during the race.
The change of trainers and the red flag highlighted in the Steward's report should be considered when evaluating Storm Force's chances but if he could reproduce the form displayed in each of his starts to date the gelding would be close to a good thing in a Cootamundra maiden when back in distance.
LEVEE BANK (Race 5 No 2)
Levee Bank finished over four-lengths from the winner in a Class 3 Highway Handicap at Rosehill last start but it was no disgrace when you consider the two horses that beat the Kerry-Weir-trained mare to the line.
The winner Suncraze and the runner-up Don't Give A Damn are horses going places with the latter going on to impressively win a Highway at Rosehill on September 23, the fifth horse has since won at Wagga and the fourth horse Delivered chased home Don't Give A Damn when second at Rosehill.
That form is good enough for the Heritage Motel Benchmark 63 Handicap (1200m)
GUN TRACE (Race 8 No 10)
The Doug Vickers-trained Gun Trace is a class three horse taking on opening company for the first time in the Darley Cootamundra Cup (1600m) but looks the only leader in the race and will take plenty of running down.
Gun Trace is racing in career best form and is chasing three wins on the trot on Sunday after victories at the Canberra Acton circuit over 1750m and Gundagai last start leading all the way on both occasions.
Gun Trace will find the front comfortably launching from barrier four on Sunday and will take plenty of running down with just 54kg on his back.
